Katherine Marie “Kate” Parker Soukup, age 84, passed away peacefully at the Inn at Coal Ridge, in Wadsworth, Ohio on Wednesday, June 1st surrounded by her loving family.

Kate was born on August 23, 1931 in Niles, Ohio to the late Anna S. Parker (nee Bumblis) and James R. Parker of Farmington, Ohio. She graduated from Boston High School, Cleveland State, and received her Masters in Library Science from Case Western Reserve. She went to work as a Librarian in the Cuyahoga County System, where she remained until her retirement.

Kate enjoyed being with children. She put her creativity and skills as an artist and story teller to work as a puppeteer. She put together many shows for children and entertained them for many years. In her spare time she continued to hone her skills as an artist and add to her book collection, as she was an avid painter and reader. She and her husband Leonard loved to travel and they made many trips to Europe. After his passing, she enjoyed travel to Canada with family and friends to the Shakespeare Festival. She always had time for her family and friends. If a baby sitter was needed she was there, if someone was sick, she was there. When a friend and neighbor could no longer lookout for herself, Kate was there. Kate also loved her cats and took in many strays over the years. Oliver was one of those and she had him for over 14 years until his passing only weeks ago. Kate was a resident of Parma, Ohio for 44 years. She loved her home there and only moved when she became too ill to maintain her residence.

Kate was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Leonard J Soukup, brothers, Raymond Parker, Richard Parker, Robert James Parker(Joyce) and her sister Lenora (Polly) Parker Puchalsky and her nephew, Timothy Scott Puchalsky. She is survived by her sisters, Lillian Parker Rohac, of Wadsworth, OH, Betty J. Parker, of Peninsula, OH, Lucille G. Parker Kimes (Harry “Chuck”), of Wadsworth, OH, nieces Beth Ann Jarrell, of Richfield, OH, Patricia Ann Corpas (Lou) of Medina, OH, Diana Kimes Cole (Jim) of Alexandria, VA, Larraine May Darling (Don), of Estes Park, CO, Pamela Sue Moser (Ray),of Wadsworth, OH, Tracy Elizabeth Bentler (Chuck),of Parma, OH, Stacy Parker ( Joy), of Strongsville, OH, Audrey Mayer (Bob), of Chesterland, OH, nephews Robert Parker (Erin), of Brownfield, ME, John Jeffery Puchalsky (Valerie), of Norton, OH. And 23 grand nieces and nephews, 6 Great Grand nieces and nephews.

A service in celebration of Kate’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, 06/25/2016 at the Peninsula United Methodist Church, 1575 Main St. Peninsula, OH. 44264. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to Hospice of Medina County or The Inn at Coal Ridge, in Wadsworth, OH

Request from Rainbow Bridge

By Constance Jenkins

Weep not for me though I am gone into that gentle night.

Grieve if you will, …